Mellor blow for Widnes

Widnes will be without scrum-half Joe Mellor for at least three months, coach Denis Betts has confirmed.

Mellor, 23, starred in three Vikings victories at the start of the season, but suffered a dislocated shoulder in last Friday’s defeat to Leeds.

Betts told the club’s official website: “Joe Mellor will have an operation later in the week and we’re looking at a minimum of 12 weeks, which is a massive blow for us, but this is the nature of the beast.

“We’ve got lads that want an opportunity, and who’ve worked hard through the pre-season. They are now looking for a chance and that could well be this week.”

Widnes travel to the KC Stadium to face Hull on Sunday.